DEFY Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

defy

verb

di-ˈfī

Definition of defy

as in to disobey

to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of in those days a woman was brave if she defied fashion and wore white after Labor Day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dare

to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat after missing the target, she defied her boyfriend to do better

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to confront

to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to resist

to refuse to give in to a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defy His Likud party is set to remain the largest in the Israeli Parliament, defying the pre-election polls. — New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 The bodice itself had its own sculptural moment, with one fabric-to-skin layer and an extra, gravity-defying layer over it. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 In 2016, a federal judge held Arpaio in criminal contempt of court for defying orders to stop the profiling. — Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026 Five reasons Republicans could defy the polls and shock Democrats on Election Day. — FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy

Verb

What the museum has built, then, is a pliable, predictable, and programmable worker, one that offers all the benefits of Dalí’s celebrity and personality with none of the drawbacks of a worker who might disagree or disobey.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
One even got in trouble and is shackled to a wooden pillory, serving as an example to others who disobey the crown and engage in piracy.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of disobey

Verb

On the red carpet, sheer footwear is daring and alluring, often partnered with sensual ensembles that play on creating shape or emphasizing silhouettes.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2026
These answers become polemic (for want of anything more interesting or, dare to say it, insightful) and the world keeps on spinning.

— Sam Peskin, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of dare

Verb

Convinced by the gesture, Dench went on to play Aereon in the 2004 film, the elemental ambassador who guides Riddick (Diesel) through his tumultuous travels to rescue his old allies and confront the head of the Necromonger empire.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026
In his acceptance speech, Villeneuve revealed a little about his creative expression, too, and used it as a lead-in to confront the existential crisis imposed by artificial intelligence.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of confront

Verb

Retail is a recent addition for a designer who long resisted it.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
In July 2025, Bennett and another man were charged with resisting arrest after a confrontation with LAPD officers at a candlelight vigil a few blocks from where Foreman was killed this year.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of resist

Verb

Some young Catholics involved in local church groups hoped the sight of a pope drawing crowds would challenge Uruguay's image as a country indifferent to religion.

— ISABEL DEBRE, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
In a new study, researchers at the University of Ottawa have proposed this unconventional picture, which challenges some of modern physics’ biggest assumptions.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of challenge

Verb

San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky, after losing to the Senators on Saturday, called them the best team his team has faced all season, commending them for being fast, competitive and connected.

— Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Cotton has opposed ending daylight saving for years, arguing that children would head to school before sunrise and commuters could face safety risks during the winter months.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of face

Verb

Cotton has opposed ending daylight saving for years, arguing that children would head to school before sunrise and commuters could face safety risks during the winter months.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2026
The union and its affiliated Our Schools PAC reported $620,000 in direct contributions to district candidates, but groups opposed to the union’s influence have spent far more.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of oppose

Browse Nearby Words

defunds

defy

defying

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of defy

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

valorous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes